Story centers on NYT reporter held in Afghanistan, Pakistan

Pic, in development through HBO Films, is the account of David Rohde, a New York Times correspondent who was held in captivity in Afghanistan and Pakistan for seven months.

Kidnapped by the Taliban’s brutal Haqqani network, Rohde endured months in captivity while his new wife, Cosmo photo editor Kristen Mulvihill, worked from the United States to secure his release. Eventually, David undertook a dangerous escape from his captors.

Michael London and Janice Williams, via their Groundswell Prods., are exec producing. Michelle Ashford, who penned a pair of “The Pacific” episodes for HBO, is writing.

In addition to the book, HBO has also acquired Rohde’s award-winning five-part series “Held By the Taliban,” which he wrote soon after his release.

“A Rope and a Prayer” will mark Barker’s feature-film debut. His previous docus were “Sergio” and “Koran by Heart.”

Barker is repped by Frank Wuliger and Sean Barclay at Gersh and Jim Wedaa at Parallax Talent Management.